In a significant development, the Supreme Court issued a directive to Tamil Nadu authorities on Monday, urging them to adhere to legal procedures and not act on any oral instructions that ‘ban’ the live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony. The apex court underscored that permission for the live telecast of the Ram temple opening cannot be arbitrarily rejected.
The Supreme Court emphasized that individuals are not obliged to comply with oral orders that purport to ‘ban’ the live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in temples throughout Tamil Nadu. This crucial decision follows the submission of a plea by the Tamil Nadu BJP, treated as an “urgent matter.”
The plea outlined concerns, stating, “It is respectfully submitted that the State Government, led by the DMK political party, has prohibited the live telecast of the auspicious occasion of ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Lord Ram at Ayodhya in all temples across the state of Tamil Nadu. The government has also banned all kinds of poojas, Archana, and Annadanam (poor feeding) bhajans on this auspicious occasion. This violates fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.”
During the proceedings, the apex court recorded the statement of the Tamil Nadu counsel, affirming that there are no restrictions on ‘puja archana’ in temples or the live telecast of the consecration ceremony.
Reacting to the situation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, currently in Kanchipuram, addressed reporters on Monday, expressing concern about the alleged misuse of the Tamil Nadu Police by the DMK-led government. Sitharaman asserted, “Tamil Nadu Police is being misused by the Government of Tamil Nadu. They are being misused by the Hindu-hating DMK. Can any citizen be denied the right to watch the Prime Minister? The DMK is showing its personal hatred for the Prime Minister.”